John P. Davidson

John P. Davidson – Ret. US Navy, of Woburn, died peacefully, June 3^rd, with his family by his side. Beloved husband of the late Sophie (Verras) Davidson. Loving father of Melissa Davidson – Kyle, her husband Robert Kyle of Woburn and Stephanie Doyle, her husband Kenneth of Woburn. Cherished grandfather of Sydney and Reese Doyle, John Kyle, all of Woburn, Dr. Wesley Kyle, his wife Caroline of Southbury, CT, Christopher Kyle of Waterbury, CT and Chelsea Kyle, her fiancé Drew of NYC, and great grandfather of Wyatt Kyle. Dear brother-in-law of the late Andrew Verras, his wife Hope of Woburn, the late Angeline “Kiki” LeFever, her late husband Buddy and the late Peter Verras. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, near and far. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects on Tues., June 7^th, from 4-7 p.m. in the Lynch – Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main St., Woburn. A Funeral Service will be held on Wed., June 8^th, at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn.  In lieu of flowers donations in John’s name can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Wounded Warriors or the charity of your choice.

John P. Davidson Decorated WWII Naval Veteran Earned 5 Battle Stars Before 20^th Birthday

John P. Davidson, age 96, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, June 2^nd, with his family by his side. He was a devoted husband for 57 years to the late Sophie Verras Davidson, cherished father of Melissa Davidson-Kyle and husband Bob and Stephanie Doyle and her husband Ken. John was the beloved Papou of John Davidson Kyle and Sydney and Reese Doyle, all of Woburn.

Born and raised in rural middle Tennessee, he was a twin and the second youngest in a family of 9 children. After the untimely death of his father J.F. Davidson, his widowed mother worked incredibly hard raising her children to be well respected members of the church and the community. After Pearl Harbor, John’s brothers Joe and Broadus enlisted, prompting twins John and Lon interest in the Navy. Because they were only 17. they needed their mother’s permission, but she was reluctant. However, it was Matilda Harrell Davidson’s strong religious faith and conviction that gave her the strength to grant permission provided that the boys read their Bible each day.

John underestimated that he was going to see more than just the world. In fact, he would experience more in between his 18 and 20^th birthday than most folks experience in a lifetime.

In June of 1943, John boarded a train in Nashville headed to California for boot camp. By July after bootcamp and awaiting assignments, was invited to join a group of older guys to join them at the Hollywood Canteen. He liked to “go with the flow” finding himself in an enormous dance hall crowded with soldiers. While scoping the crowd, he spotted a line forming and in pure” John fashion” figured that the line led to something good. As he wiggled his way across the dance floor and near the front of the line, until he was tapped on the shoulder. Turning around, his eyes were met by a beautiful blond who was asking him to dance. As they began to dance, he nearly collapsed when he realized that he was looking into the eyes of the #1 pin up girl in America, Betty Grabel. While at first denying it, John’s persistence prompted her to admit that she was indeed Betty Grable. Seizing this unbelievable opportunity, he quickly asked her to marry him. She whispered in his ear that she had eloped the previous evening with the bandleader Harry James who was playing onstage. John loved to joke that he could have married America’s sweetheart, but he was a day late! This celebrity encounter would not be his last, but the next two years of his life would be game changing for him while engaged in the Pacific Theater, specifically in the Coral Sea. in direct combat with a roaring fleet of Japanese kamikazes.

John’s first assignment on the ship was in the galley. Evidently it went well because he charmed an officer who liked custom eggs for breakfast and initiated a friendship that prompted the officer to fast track the polite southern boy to gunnery school in San Francisco.

There were two major combat events that displayed several episodes of bravery which were really the capstone of his heroism. His story is unique to him but like so many of the brave

young men who didn’t make it home. One of his heroic act of bravery transpired during a raging battle somewhere in the Coral Sea while his ship was being bombarded by a fleet of kamikazes. Out of the Gunsmoke, a kamikaze pilot was aiming directly at the ship at 19 degrees off the water. John’s gunner panicked and ran from his post. John was trained to take over as gunner in this type of situation. His commanding officer yelled at him to put on his helmet. Miraculously, he was able to shoot down the kamikaze that grazed his helmet as it crashed directly onto the ships deck trapping the Japanese pilot was still alive. But only for a few seconds. Because of John’s quick thinking and following directions his action saved many lives on his ship. His entire ship received a silver battle star for their combined acts of heroism.

After the War, a decorated Marine traveled 1,000 miles to Murfreesboro Tennessee to hug and thank the mother of the brave young sailor who personally saved his life by the name of John Davidson. The Marine traveled over 1,000 miles to Tennessee to thank the mother of the sailor who single handedly saved his life. Evidently John had bravely volunteered to drive the Marine and his German Shepard on a small boat to a tiny island that was being bombarded by fire. He was told that he probably wouldn’t make it back. He didn’t hesitate. John fearlessly drove the boat through heavy enemy and friendly fire until the marine and his dog were both seriously shot. The marine begged John to stop and dump him into the water to save himself but John wouldn’t hear of it. They made it back to the ship and as a result he saved the Marine’s life. He was grazed by a bullet but covered in the blood of the marine and the German shepherd. The ship received the silver star. That was John. He was humble. The marine asked John’s mother what he could do to recognize her son, and she explained that her gift was knowing that she had raised a loyal, brave and selfless child.

John loved the Navy and he was able to make a 24 year career out of it participating in 2 world cruises and traveling on two world tours. One of his last assignments was at the Charlestown Navy Yard. It was at a Navy dance that was attended by a bunch of Woburn girls. It was at that dance that he met the love of his life and although they kept their engagement secret for two years because of Sophie’s strict Greek parents. They married in 1962 and John would be able to retire from the Navy after his first daughter Melissa was born during his last assignment in Norfolk, VA. They first resided on Scott St and eventually settled on Arlington Road, the street that Sophie always dreamed of living. Daughter Stephanie came along, and they were able to purchase the house when John went on to have a second career in maintenance at Tech-Ops in Burlington which eventually became Wang Labs which became his second retirement.

John was a super cool guy who was well loved by everyone who knew him. He really enjoyed sports, especially baseball and his beloved St. Louis Cardinals. He loved to travel with the family to Tennessee each summer, especially enjoying his old Navy pals on the way in Va Beach and Florida. Many of his old Navy pals visited with their families over the years,

In later years he finally became a grandfather at age 76 and thought for sure that he would be in hillbilly heaven before the grandchildren arrived. He especially loved attending the grandchildren’s’ soccer, basketball and baseball careers through travel programs and Woburn High School teams.

John loved the neighborhood and the family atmosphere that it provided. He loved hanging out watching games with the Sullivan neighbors and he loved the holidays and playing pokers with the in-laws. He loved Horn Pond and walked it daily until he was no longer able.

John was everyone’s favorite uncle on both sides of his family. Over the years many of his extended family came to visit because they enjoyed John and Sophie’s company. He was a gentleman through and through, but he was like a kid and loved to have a good time. He really had a wonderful life because he was well loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Loving father of Melissa Davidson – Kyle, her husband Robert Kyle of Woburn and Stephanie Doyle, her husband Kenneth of Woburn. Cherished grandfather of Sydney and Reese Doyle, John Kyle, all of Woburn, Dr. Wesley Kyle, his wife Caroline of Southbury, CT, Christopher Kyle of Waterbury, CT and Chelsea Kyle, her fiancé Drew of NYC, and great grandfather of Wyatt Kyle. Dear brother-in-law of the late Andrew Verras, his wife Hope of Woburn, the late Angeline “Kiki” LeFever, her late husband Buddy and the late Peter Verras. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, near and far.  

Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects on Tues., June 7^th, from 4-7 p.m. in the Lynch – Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main St., Woburn. A Funeral Service will be held on Wed., June 8^th, at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn.  In lieu of flowers donations in John’s name can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Wounded Warriors or the charity of your choice.

A Funeral Service will be held in the Lynch – Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main St., Woburn, on Wed., June 8^th, at 10 a.m. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn.  Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on Tues., June 7^th, from 4-7 p.m.